Weekly Product Hits: Learning to Code in 30 Days, The Elegant Solution, Personal User Manuals
Product Hits: August 12, 2024Every week, I share three great product resources from a variety of perspectives. Let's dive in! I learned to code in 30 days by Linda Zhang Linda Zhang, founder of Product Lessons, shares her journey of learning to code after facing the limitations of no-code tools. She emphasizes that while no-code tools can be useful for simple projects, they often fall short when flexibility and full control are needed. For product managers who want to create scrappy solutions without being blocked by limited engineering bandwidth, Zhang provides valuable tips for getting started. The Elegant Solution by Victor Cheng Victor Cheng, VP of Product at LivePerson, shares a simple yet powerful approach to resolving conflicts elegantly. Instead of arguing, ask "Why." Understanding the why behind conflicting perspectives helps you know what they need from you, which leads to more harmonious and productive outcomes. Using personal user manuals to work well with others by Merci Victoria Grace Merci Victoria Grace, former Head of Growth at Slack, advocates for using personal user manuals to improve team communication and collaboration. She highlights how sharing your work preferences, communication style, and areas for improvement can foster transparency, vulnerability, and stronger relationships with colleagues. Behind the ScenesHey there, it's Clement! Have you launched a product or a feature that’s a hit in one market, but doesn’t quite resonate in another? It’s often more than just user preferences - it can also be cultural and generational differences. Culture influences everything, from how people perceive colors and symbols to how they interact with technology. For example, while a bold, vibrant design might be a hit in one country, it could be overwhelming or even off-putting in another. Similarly, what works in a more formal business setting might not translate well into a casual or social environment. And it’s not just about geography - generational differences play a huge role too. Gen Zs, Millennials, Gen Xers, and Boomers all have distinct values, behaviors, and expectations. To really nail this, you need to go beyond just translating text. Conduct cultural and demographics research and make it a core part of your product development strategy. Understand local traditions, values, and everyday behaviors. Recognize how different age groups interact with your product. You might need to adapt your design, tweak your messaging, or even rethink your features to better align with regional and generational expectations. Here’s a practical approach: Connect with local customers who can offer firsthand insights. Conduct customer interviews in different regions and across various age groups. Run localized A/B tests to see how your product performs in various cultural and generational contexts. By tuning into these cultural and generational nuances, you’ll enhance customer satisfaction and set your product up for global success. Have you encountered any surprises while navigating cultural and/or generational differences in your product work? I’d love to hear your stories and insights! With love, Let's do more together!
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Product Teacher
In-depth essays and thought-provoking reads for product managers.
Product Hits: April 28, 2025 Every week, I share three great product resources from a variety of perspectives. Let's dive in! Sales, not logistics by Wes Kao Wes Kao, co-founder of Maven, warns that jumping into logistics before securing buy-in is a critical communication mistake. She urges PMs to frame requests around impact and motivation first, using her "sales, not logistics" approach to drive action and influence stakeholders more effectively. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery by...
Product Hits: April 21, 2025 Every week, I share three great product resources from a variety of perspectives. Let's dive in! PhDs Aren't Starting Companies Like They Used To by Nnamdi Iregbulem Nnamdi Iregbulem, Partner at Lightspeed Ventures, examines how the growing burden of knowledge and lack of division of labor discourage PhD-level talent from entrepreneurship. Therefore, PMs who work with PhDs like data scientists or ML researchers can attract and empower PhD talent by implementing...
Product Hits: April 14, 2025 Every week, I share three great product resources from a variety of perspectives. Let's dive in! Too detailed by Wes Kao Wes Kao, co-founder of Maven, emphasizes the importance of tailoring communication details to the audience and context. She advises PMs to reduce cognitive load by focusing on clarity and actionable takeaways. Aligning Teams Around Strategy by Victoria Wisot Victoria Wisot, Partner at AKF Partners, outlines seven practices to keep teams focused...